Tyres Drivetrain and Finishing Kit – pedalnorth

Light Bicycle Turbo 50 Wheelset

Pedalnorth Website — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 11:06:24 +0000

Light Bicycle - Turbo 50 Wheels

review by Kristi Kuldkepp

Light Bicycle Turbo 50 Wheelset

First Impressions for Gravel Riding

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been using the Light Bicycle Turbo 50 wheelset extensively during gravel training rides, and my first impressions have been extremely positive. These days we can start to look away from the more well-known wheel brands, safe in the knowledge that there are some extremely technical and well-made wheels coming into focus for the right reasons – including performance and price point.

Although my first gravel races with these wheels are still ahead, they’ve already proven themselves to be fast, confidence-inspiring, and exceptionally well-built. All critical issues for training and racing, when you have to rely on your wheels for those marginal gains. Did you know that wheels are the most common upgrade for cyclists when they buy a bike.

The first thing that stood out with the Light Turbo 50 wheelset was how responsive the wheelset feels. Despite the 50 mm rim depth, acceleration is quick, and the wheels feel lively when putting power down. Whether accelerating out of corners or riding short climbs, they respond instantly and feel very efficient.

Gravel riding performance wheels

Gravel riding can be a different beast for wheels. Thankfully though, on faster gravel roads, the Turbo 50 carries speed remarkably well. Once the bike is up to speed, maintaining momentum feels effortless. The aerodynamic rim profile gives the bike a fast, smooth feeling, especially on those long and challenging open gravel sections. At the same time, the wheels remain surprisingly stable in crosswinds, providing confidence even in the more exposed conditions. This aligns with the design intent of the Turbo rim profile, which aims to improve aerodynamic efficiency while maintaining crosswind stability and lateral stiffness. It’s refreshing when a product fits and works as it was intended to.

The 25 mm internal rim width is also an excellent match for modern gravel tyres. I’ve been riding them with wider gravel tyres, and the tyre profile feels well supported, allowing lower pressures for improved grip and comfort without sacrificing cornering stability. The bike feels planted and predictable over loose gravel, rough roads, and when heading into fast corners. Another aspect I’ve really appreciated is the ride quality. The wheels strike an excellent balance between stiffness and comfort. They feel direct under power while still absorbing road chatter well enough to keep long training rides comfortable. Tubeless setup was straightforward, with the tyres seating easily and maintaining pressure consistently – viola!

Quality and performance in balance

The overall build quality is exactly what you would expect from a premium carbon wheelset. Light are a well-respected brand and focus on technology and innovation. The finish of their Turbo 50 wheelset is clean, spoke tension is even, and the wheels also arrived perfectly true – definitely a rare occurrence. Every detail reflects a high level of craftsmanship and scores positive points for me.

Highlights so far

• Fast acceleration despite the 50 mm rim depth.
• Excellent speed retention on fast gravel roads.
• Stable and predictable handling in crosswinds.
• Stiff under power while remaining comfortable on rough surfaces.
• Wide rim profile pairs perfectly with modern gravel tyres.
• Easy tubeless setup and reliable air retention.
• Outstanding build quality and finish.

Looking Ahead

While I haven’t raced on the Light Bicycle Turbo 50 wheelset yet, my training experience gives me plenty of confidence heading into my first gravel events. Based on everything I’ve experienced so far, I expect these wheels to be an excellent choice for riders looking for a lightweight, aerodynamic, and reliable gravel racing wheelset. If they perform in racing as well as they have during training, they’ll be a wheelset I’ll be happy to keep using for a long time – and that has to be a good recommendation.

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Pirelli Scorpion Mountain Bike XC Tyre Reviews 2026

Pedalnorth Website — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:09:44 +0000

Pirelli Scorpion Mountain Bike XC Tyre Reviews

Scorpion XC M Pro-WALL 29×2.4 & Scorpion XC RC LITE 29×2.4

By Alex Sabin – Pro Racer and Writer

Scorpion XC M & XC RC – my choice for racing setup

Choosing a race-ready, fast and stable tyre for XC mountain biking can be tricky. You need to find that balance between a tyre that flows and maximises your effort, against one that holds you firm and rides effortlessly on technical terrain. Looking at the recent the release from Italian brand, Pirelli is always interesting, with their heritage and attention to detail.
Both tyre in this test belong to Pirelli’s Cross-Country (XC) line, and are redesigned and manufactured in their new Italian factory using a new Race Compound, focused on high grip, durability, and rolling efficiency – all of those key ingredients that I’m generally looking for. So, how do they stack up. Let’s get the technical data out of the way first, shall we.

Key features of 29×2.4 XC tyres:

Wider profile for improved comfort and traction on varied terrain
Tubeless-ready construction for easy setup and reduced punctures
Two casing options:
- Pro-WALL – reinforced sidewalls for increased protection
- LITE – lightweight casing for maximum speed and efficiency

Pirelli Scorpion XC M Pro-WALL – Versatility and control

Okay then, it’s time to focus on the Pirelli Scorpion XC M Pro Wall. It’s a tyre tested on the uCI world cup by the Trek and Pirelli team riders, and is generally well respected. It features a more open tread pattern, with aggressive knobs that dig into the trail when you ask it of them, delivering excellent cornering control and stability when required. Technical terrain is what they’re all about, with the Pro Wall casing doing its job and providing a strong sidewall protection against bumps and bushes, making it ideal for lower pressures and rocky and root-filled trails – of which we have plenty here in the forested mountains of Romania and Transylvania.
How do they perform generally though, when the going gets tough… and fast.

Performance

• Excellent balance between grip and rolling efficiency, suitable for mixed terrain (dry and slightly wet conditions)
• Slightly heavier than the LITE version, but much more resistant to punctures
• Works well both front and rear, especially appreciated for cornering stability

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons then, because after all, these are a premium tyre and you need to know what I think of them in action. Generally, they’re easy to fit, and they remain stable and keep the bike rolling as intended.

Pros

Excellent sidewall protection
Strong grip and control on mixed terrain
Ideal for technical XC and marathon riding

Cons

Heavier than the LITE version
Slightly slower on very fast, hard-packed surfaces

Weight is a key issue on tyre choice when racing. However, this has to be balanced against staying upright when moving fast over technical terrain, and the bike staying on line where I aim it. The tread patten and firm sidewalls ensure that this is the case with these tyres, giving me the necessary grip on mixed terrain. Yes, they are slightly slower on hard-packed surfaces; but when used on technical terrain they come into their own and have proved themselves to be a grin-inducing XC tyre choice for me.

Pirelli Scorpion XC RC LITE – Speed and agility

Looking finally at the Pirelli XC RC Lite tyre, it’s a tyre designed for speed and agility, and so as a pro racer I wanted to see if it matched its hype. It has a thinner casing, and this does bring some risks on certain trails, but this also gives you that lighter weight for hard-packed and fast flowing terrain.

It’s a tyre that is clearly orientated towards speed and acceleration, which I’ve found myself, minimising rolling resistance and keeping the power on as I race and train. The tread pattern is minimal and closely packed, producing a somewhat risky ride in the wet and in rough conditions. However, this also ensures that speed over hard-packed trails – which is the overall purpose of this tyre.

Performance

This is an excellent choice of tyre for XC races or fast, compact trails where efficiency is key. Yes, it has less sidewall protection than Pro-WALL, but is significantly lighter and more responsive when asked of it – which is a key requirement for XC racing.

Pros

Low weight & fast acceleration
Excellent rolling efficiency on hardpack
Ideal for racing and fast XC riding

Cons

Reduced sidewall protection ? more vulnerable to cuts and punctures
Slightly less grip in very rough or wet conditions

Conclusion

My conclusions then are this: the Pirelli Scorpion XC M Pro-WALL is definitely recommended if you want a robust, versatile tire that performs well on technical terrain, offers excellent cornering grip, and provides strong puncture protection.

Looking at the Scorpion XC RC LITE, it’s the lighter and faster option, and is ideal for riders focused on XC racing and fast, compact trails where low weight and rolling efficiency matter more than maximum durability.

My own choice of a front M + rear RC combo is one of the most balanced setups for XC riders who enjoy a mix of terrain — from fast rolling climbs and fire roads, to twisty singletrack with roots and rocks. It gives you confidence at the front and efficiency at the rear, which translates to better control, faster average speed, and less rider fatigue on long rides.

Pirelli have used of their expertise and experience with the UCI World Cup events and teams in creating this rage of XC tyres. Each has a specific role play and does it as Pirelli intended. And, if that fits your own style of riding and local trails, then the Pirelli Scorpion XC range is definitely a good tyre choice.

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Schwalbe Racing Ray and Racing Ralph Addix Speed XC Tyres

Pedalnorth Website — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 14:52:18 +0000

Schwalbe Racing Ray & Racing Ralph Addix Speed – MTB XC setup

A need for speed tyre set-up, for XC fun

Robert Thorpe & Jim Hare

These days, finding a good mountain bike tyre is relatively easy. In truth, the industry has moved on to the point that most brands have at least one outstanding tyre within their range. You know the sort: that tyre which is seemingly always at the top of the list for so many riders. In the latest iteration of the Schwalbe Racing Ray, 2.35 Speed Addix, this family-owned brand from Germany have hit the jackpot, with a tyre that rolls like dream across the dusty trails, adds to your confidence when required, and which also creates some extra efficiency with your mileage on your e-Mtb adventure.

Addix speed compound

The Addix speed grip compound from Schwalbe has been developed to make this a fast-rolling XC weapon, when paired with the Racing Ralph, or even when used as a fast-moving front and rear grin inducing setup on its own. We’ve been testing the new tyre here on the tough and technical, dusty trails of the Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire Moors National Parks, where it seems to excel on the hard packed Singletrack.

With the new Addix speed compound, alongside the classic Racing Ray closely packed and forward-facing tread pattern, this speed focused XC tyre digs into the dirt just enough, whilst focusing its energy on rolling resistance and speed. The tread pattern is designed to allow the more rounded shoulder blocks to form to the terrain and give the necessary stability, holding you into the berms and turns as you relax and concentrate on having fun. It works well in the wet too, and does just enough to keep the ride interesting.

Schwalbe have developed several new compounds in recent times, to manage the variety of riding conditions that we all experience. For us, the new Addix Speed compound is just about right on hard packed and fast-flowing trails, and expecially useful on technical trails, with the need for tyre stability, reliability and grip. Where you need this perfect trilogy, with the added addition of great rolling resistance, it’s the perfect XC compound. If however, you’re riding a more trail or enduro type of trail, then you may want to change your options. In the dry summer of 2025, though; the Schwalbe Addix Speed has worked perfectly.

When climbing, apart from the occasional testing moment in the super-steep stuff, the Schwalbe Racing Ray Speed Addix is a reliable friend on the trails, always ready to continue its seamless journey towards the summit. When used with the Racing Ralph on the rear, then the wider knobbles of the Ralph take care of the necessary digging in and provide that extra help in forward momentum, utilising their wider centre blocks to give that all-important extra grip over the weighted rear end of the bike. The set-up is orientated towards modern XC racing, and on test, we’ve found that the Racing Ray Addix Speed is a perfect accompaniment to the hard packed and dusty, technical trails of the Yorkshire Dales this summer.

Front specific for balanced fun

Fitting this tubeless ready tyre is easy and straightforward, and it seats and seals well, holding its shape on the technical sections too. We’ve been running it at 23, pressure-wise, and tackling some technical descents – where the tyre has held its own, despite the less aggressive knobbly pattern. The tyre stays firm and holds its shape, with good side wall stability, allowing you to take on the technical corners at speed – which is what this tyre is all about. And, when you hit the odd pool of spring and summer mud, the tread pattern clears the dirt from the tyre quickly enough to be more than acceptable.

As Schwalbe say, this is a front-specific mountain bike tyre that comes into its own on the descents, where its rolling resistance adds to the fun and excitement. In summary, it’s a fast and flowing mountain bike tyre that races you along the XC trail, and which gives you a genuine and noticeable burst of speed to the proceedings. Having initially tested it in an old-fashioned setup, with the Racing Ray front and rear; we then tested it alongside the Racing Ralph, in the intended and more modern setup. After all, variety is the spice of life, and we wanted to try it in all possible options.

Ray & Ralph, riding in perfect harmony

Having used Racing Ralph both front and rear, in an old school style setup; changing to the more common and intended format, with a Racing Ralph on the rear has produced a significantly different ride – as you’d expect. The more power and grip-oriented tread pattern, does what you’d expect from it, with a wide and grippier tread pattern that eats into the trail. The strong side wall construction also holds you on the right line, whilst flexing just enough to put the maximum tread onto the trail, allowing the speed-oriented Racing Ray to do its job by focusing on getting you along the trail as quickly as possible. Having the Racing Ralph 2.35 at the rear, acts like a well-engineered engine house, driving you forward and holding the line, whilst the Racing Ray Addix at the front, maintains the speed.

It’s a great XC tyre combination that works in harmony, and which seems perfect on the U.K. trails. What has been surprising is how hard wearing the Racing Ray Addix Speed compound has been, lasting all summer with regular trail rides every week, on the hard packed trails of the Yorkshire Dales and Moors. Having the Racing Ray Addix Speed and Racing Ralph Addix Speed working in unison is a fast flowing and confidence inspiring setup that we can definitely recommend, and which will provide you with many months of endless trail riding fun.

We’ll be changing the Ray and Ralph compound in our next tests, and seeing how the more versatile Speed Grip compound works in the more unpredictable autumn conditions. Keep checking in to find out!

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SQLab Saddles for Prostate Problems and Back Pain

Pedalnorth Website — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 16:29:46 +0000

SQlab Cycling Technology – Saddles for special circumstances

The SQlab active-saddle technology

by Robert Thorpe & Til Drobisch (SQLab)

Now that we’ve got you sitting relatively comfortably on your new SQLab step saddle, we want to talk with you about those medical issues which some cyclists unfortunately have, and which can benefit from even more detailed technical thinking from those clever people at SQlab. Their ‘active saddle’ technology was designed to aid cyclists with back pain caused from spinal issues and other factors. The technology enables a physiologically correct co-movement of the pelvis and thus prevents discomfort in the lower back.

It’s worth understanding that, in addition to 24 cranial nerves, humans have 62 other spinal nerves. More than half of all spinal nerves pass through or past the pelvis. This can bring on those significant pain issues that we mentioned in our earlier saddles blog with SQlab. However, all these nerves within the spinal area can after trauma, or simply due to our lifestyle, cause us back pain that is debilitating. Add to this the movement of a bike, and you’ve got a serious pain problem that needs a solution. With Tobias’ own history of spinal injury, this has always been an issue that SQlab wanted to look at and to find a solution to help riders.

In essence, the solution was a new way of constructing a saddle so that it became more than simply a support system for sit bones. After lots of research and testing, the ‘active saddle’ technology was borne.

SQlab’s ‘active saddle’ technology enables the pelvis to move laterally while riding, reducing strain on the lower spine, pelvis, and hips, and relieving the discs and facet joints. This added movement, whilst controlling the stability of the sit bones, makes cycling more comfortable and helps prevent back pain. Let’s look briefly at this in detail.

The active – Technology

The active saddle concept incorporates a unique technology that allows the saddle to tilt and move slightly as the rider shifts their weight, and it moves in just the right way to compensate for that rider motion. This movement helps to reduce pressure on sensitive areas, improve stability, and promote a more natural riding posture. Movement is important for the spinal column, as it allows the spine to flex naturally. The metabolism of the intervertebral discs within the spinal column functions via movement (loading and unloading) – for example when walking… or cycling. On the other hand, constant one-sided pressure, such as that caused by sitting motionless for long periods, has a disruptive effect. That disruptive effect is felt as pain and it can be severe. Importantly, as you’ve already measured yourself and now have the right width of SQlab saddle and are benefitting from their step-saddle design, you have the correct stable base for your own unique sit bones, meaning that ‘active saddle’ technology is one more element to help your now correctly fitted saddle to give you the ultimate in cycling comfort.

Preventing Back Pain

By allowing this gentle and controlled movement, whilst maintaining the stability of your sit bones, the saddle promotes a more ergonomic posture, which can help alleviate tension and pain in the lower back. The dynamic motion also supports the natural curvature of the spine, reducing the risk of strain during rides. It relieves those important spinal discs, as the slight movement of the saddle helps to distribute pressure evenly across the sitting bones and minimizes stress on the spinal discs. This relief can be crucial during longer commutes, longer rides and general cycling. Since its development in 2010, SQlab have introduced this technology across their range of saddles.

Active saddle technology can help sporty cyclists too. In terms of these performance-orientated riders, the active saddle technology helps to reduce back pain on those longer and arduous days on the bike, riding into the hills.

The active system works, because the rails are attached to the centre of the saddle shell, allowing the base of the saddle to flex, when pressure (coming from the body weight) is applied. The flex in the sportive models can be altered by using elastomers with different damping properties (white: soft, grey: medium-soft, black: hard), so depending on body weight you can use the elastomer that allows the correct amount of flex.

The comfort saddles don´t have an elastomer, they have a switch function, which allows even more movement if the switch is turned 90°, but they already come with more flex, because they are focused more on comfort and pain reduction, than the sporty models.

Prostate saddles by SQlab

One other area of bike saddles that we wanted to explore, due in no small part to my own health related issues, is cycling with prostate issues. We won’t suffer you with the details of this potentially serious condition, suffice to say that thankfully, SQlab have researched this and created a specific saddle to help to alleviate discomfort for riders with prostate issues. The prostate sits at the area of the pubic arch, and when enlarged can adversely affect cyclists who are using an incorrectly fitted saddles. Many cyclists have significant issues due to saddle problems and an enlarged prostate. It can lead to you needing medical consultation, and so we’d always recommend speaking to your doctor if you believe that you fall into this category.

Thankfully though, with the correct medical intervention and support, and the right saddle – from SQlab in this case – you can ride pain free and without your enlarged prostate being an issue. Fundamentally, it is essential to reduce the pressure on the prostate to a maximum, and the prostate specific saddle from SQlab does just this!

Removing the pressure and creating comfort

After a prostate operation or in the case of frequent prostate inflammations, it is crucial that the saddle does not exert pressure on the sensitive perineal area. The SQlab saddle models 621 M-D active, 602 M-D active and 610 M-D active provide the best possible relief in the perineal area and are recommended after prostate surgery. Instead of the trademark double-step shape, they only have one higher elevated step, which leads to higher pressure relief on the saddle nose and the perineal area, which includes the prostate.

The SQlab M-D Line stands for maximum relief of sensitive areas and so the 602 M-D® active 2.1 offers the optimal pressure distribution according to medical criteria for trekking and touring bikes. The relief of the perineal area is with 80% very large and usually also sufficient for an age-related, enlarged prostate.

The 602 M-D active 2.1 also gets an improved, lighter saddle shell, an increased adjustment range and the completely newly developed technology for the Comfort active system, which is now adjustable via a switch function. New models from SQlab are also integrated threads for the connection of bags. The new 602 M-D offers more comfort with the same relief and a slightly narrower saddle nose, meaning that every aspect of your medical needs is catered for, leaving you to ride in comfort.

In the next blog, Til and I will be talking about the next contact point for cyclists – handlebars – and the associated issues that need to be overcome. For now, though, we’ve hopefully given you a better understanding of the importance of getting a correctly fitted saddle, and, how using a well-researched and well-engineered brand such as SQlab can benefit your general health as well as your cycling lifestyle.

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Effective ergonomics and choosing the correct bike saddle

Pedalnorth Website — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 17:00:57 +0000

Effective Ergonomics in Cycling & Finding Your Fit

Improving bike saddle comfort – with SQlab

by Robert Thorpe & Til Drobisch

In terms of the three main contact points for cyclists, the saddle is probably the most important to get right – albeit that they all matter. Most of us spend a lot of time seated – at home, at work and when cycling. Making sure that your bike saddle is comfortable and that it is the correct saddle for you, is more important than we usually give it credit for. It’s important to ask yourself the question: ‘am I sitting comfortably?’ After all, you’ve maybe spent a great deal of money on your bike, and in too many cases the saddle was probably – and incorrectly – low on the list of priorities. Yes, get it wrong and it will cause you pain, discomfort and maybe even some long-term health issues.

Ergonomics in cycling is important; in fact, it’s critical if we are to fully appreciate how our own unique body interacts with our own individual bicycle. Whether you are a simple leisure cyclist or commuter, or a keen racer or an adventure cyclist, we guarantee that you’ll spend time seated on that all-important saddle; and we can guarantee that if it doesn’t fit you properly or isn’t designed around your own body shape and requirements, then you’ll be feeling the pain in all the wrong places.

Thankfully, SQlab from Munich, deep in Bavaria and Germany, have been looking at cycling ergonomics since their inception over 20 years ago. The comfort and health benefits of getting the right saddle fit are critical to their way of thinking; which is why I recently spent a whole afternoon listening to and talking with Til from their technical team. It was enlightening to learn about how each of us use the bike saddle, how we need to use it and how to ensure that our bike saddle is the best possible fit for our own unique body. There’s a science to it, and Til and the team at SQlab have been studying it for over 20 years, developing saddles that are at the top of the curve in terms of innovation and excellence and support to riders of all shapes and sizes.

When we look properly at saddles and finding the right bike saddle for riders, there’s a whole lot of information for us to take in; which is why this blog is the first in a new series that we’ll be writing this year, in partnership with our friends such as Til at with SQlab. This first blog rightly focuses solely on the process measuring and fitting the best bike saddle for you, and why this is important. It covers the issues that can arise, how they can arise and how they will affect you as a cyclist – and so, if you’re sitting comfortably, we’ll begin.

Pelvis

The perineal area must be relieved.
The sit bones are made for sitting!

Don’t saddle yourself with long-term pain

There are some key aspects to think about when saddles don’t work as intended. A cheap saddle or an incorrectly fitted saddle on your bike can lead to neck pain and pain in your hands, as you shift weight around and those important nerves are pinched between the pelvis bones. If most of your contact with the saddle is with the sensitive parts of the pelvic area – those soft tissue points between the pelvic arch – then things are going to get very uncomfortable very soon indeed. SQlab founder, Tobias started to think about how he and other riders were getting pressure from perineal and to sit bones, after his own experiences and a serious accident some years ago, where he crashed and broke vertebra. It required a whole new style of thinking for him, and the ideas that now form SQlab were borne.

In effect, what happens when you sit on a badly fitted saddle is that your pelvic sit bones don’t take the pressure that they are designed for. Instead, to narrow a saddle creates discomfort at the pubic bones and increases the pressure on the perineal area where lots of tissues and nerves exist. The pressure put down onto the saddle by our bodies, needs to be matched for the different sit bone widths we each have, so that the saddle gives pressure only at the pubic bones. Initially, this may feel uncomfortable as the sit bones adjust the feeling. However, after only a short time it feels natural and aids your cycling and general health. This is how Til and the people at SQlab developed their ‘sit fit system’, and it ensures that you, the cyclist, have the best possible way of finding the saddle that fits your own unique needs. Best of all, it’s a simple and easy to understand system, and one that makes perfect sense.

Getting the measure of saddle comfort

There are 3 stages to getting the measurement for the saddle, and whilst pressure mapping is used by many, SQlab have shown that their own technique is generally more accurate, whilst also being quite simple. It’s based on those all-important sit bones and how they protrude and can mark a sheet a paper – yes, that simple! You can visit an SQLab fit partner, or you can get their home fit kit and carry this out home yourself.

For home users, or on a measuring stool with the nub plate on top at your local dealer, sit with your back upright on a stool with the SQlab measuring paper, placed on the stool and pull yourself towards the stool with both hands.

Measure the sit bone distance from center to center and add the value for the respective sitting position (taken from the sheet in the home measurement kit). SQlab add a value to the measurement, based on how upright you sit. This then gives you the right fit saddle.

Select a saddle from the SQlab range, based on your individual cycling discipline and in the correct width.

By doing the measurement this way, only the sit bones point through and make the necessary indication on the sheet. It is quite interesting to learn from Til, that dependent on the cycling discipline you normally ride, the saddle size needs change slightly to take this positioning into consideration. It’s due to the pelvis rotating further forward and using the narrower part of the sit bones in a stretched position and the wider part of the sit bones in an upright position plus having more of the buttocks on the saddle the more upright I am, which needs more support. For example:

Triathletes tend to stretch out forwards extensively;

Road racers stretch out, but not as much;

Other riders are classed between being moderate, slightly bent or upright – this usually being city cyclists.

Getting the measure of saddle comfort

Select a saddle from the SQlab range, based on your individual cycling discipline and in the correct width.

Triathletes tend to stretch out forwards extensively;

Road racers stretch out, but not as much;

Other riders are classed between being moderate, slightly bent or upright – this usually being city cyclists.

Unisex Saddles

The anatomy of men and women is obviously different. For the male anatomy, they have steeper upward pubic bones. Females have a lower pubic arch, although to a large extent, the pubic arch doesn’t really matter, as pressure is correctly placed on the sit bone and not pubic arch, when the saddle is correctly measured and fitted. Yes, different problems arise from men to women; however, they can be solved by the same saddle. Most female specific saddles – from brands other than SQlab – simply constructed to be wider and softer, which is nonsense. It takes us back to that old phrase: ‘pink it and shrink it.’ They deserve better.

Getting the saddle width wrong and the pressure and power goes to the pubic arch area, instead of on those important sit bones. Using the measure technique from SQlab ensures that the correct width of saddle creates space between the pubic arch/soft tissue and the saddle and relives the problem. When you first use that correctly fitted saddle, the sit bone feeling against saddle may be strange. However, this passes in a short time. It’s difficult to show to people, as riders often press onto saddle and think that it’s hard and they feel the sit bones – and ironically, they don’t want to feel sit bones – even for that short time.

Myth of the soft saddle

Soft saddles are only suitable for short distances and up to a maximum of 45 minutes! Muscle and tendon attachments are irritated by soft pads, due to shear forces that occur. Sit bones get used to the load, albeit that the sit bones on a soft saddle are not properly looked after. It´s not really the movement in the pelvis that causes problems, more the shear forces and friction on the sit bone itself, which leads to irritation of the bone and tendons. Plus, the sit bone sinking into the soft material leads to higher pressure in the perineal area because the sit bone is lower than the middle part of the saddle.

We need to get used to hard surface and a hard saddle, as we don’t usually sit on hard surfaces. Our chairs and sofa at home are soft and we like to sink into it. However, on a bike we are moving whilst seated and we need our sit bones to remain stable. Thankfully, once we get used to the hard saddle surface, it’s super comfortable. A soft saddle, conversely, as explained, will not give you that all-important sit bone support, leading to your pelvis being mobile on the saddle and pain being felt after a few minutes riding, and those health issues that we mentioned earlier being caused.

Coccyx pain and saddle shape

This is an issue mainly in female riders. It can move further to the inside. We don’t want the coccyx encountering the saddle at all, and the shape of the saddle is critical to this – alongside the width, of course – because if the sit bones are next to the saddle, the coccyx will be closer to the saddle than if the sit bones are on top of the saddle.

Male riders tend to get numbness due to a higher pubic bone. The soft tissue in the centre of the pelvic area has 2 important nerves in the middle. Having the wrong saddle width places your seated position in this zone and gives this numbness. Taking time to correctly choose your saddle will take your seated position away from this nerve are and place you on those sit bones.

Saddle fitting needs to include the front tilt and the surface of the saddle – curved or flat – as well as the front nose are. A poor tilt of the front of the saddle, even by 1 degree, can make a huge difference. Once you the saddle the width correctly known, the next thing to look at is the tilt. You can test the tilt difference in small degrees and assess how your seated position feels between each small incremental change.

Pressure on the saddle fitting and shape (conventional saddles)

For women, the saddle nose on a conventional saddle can tilt upwards slightly or have a straight cut shape. This leads to pressure for women on the pubic arch. Using the SQlab step saddle system, the lowered saddle frontal area works by reducing the pressure on the pubic arch. It gives the correct pressure distribution and frees up the pelvic area, leading to a more comfortable ride.

Numbness, especially for men, can be caused when a conventional saddle shape has too much pressure on the perineal area. Focusing again on the SQlab step saddle design, the pressure is distributed according to medical analysis, freeing up… yes, the pelvic area and focusing the weighting on those sit bones – voila!

Saddle shape and the Step Saddle

The SQ Lab step saddle concept has been developed with medical experts, measuring oxygen supply in the glands, using various saddles and shapes. What SQ Lab found was that ‘gap’ saddles can cause more dangerous pressure peaks on the inside – especially for women, due to the low pubic bone. There can also be aa weakness around the edges of the gap, causing the saddle to curve upwards slightly, and leading to pressure being incorrectly applied in that important pelvic arch area.

When SQlab examined the ‘wavy’ saddle concept, the results were really interesting. The curve reduces the area available for the sit bones and the curved area can also interfere with the wrong areas of the pelvis, causing discomfort and potentially causing nerve pain and other associated problems elsewhere on the body – which we’ll cover in future blogs with SQLab.

Dealing with the unique SQlab ‘Step saddle concept’, it gave far better results in research, which is why it is the chosen design for all SQlab saddles. Fundamentally, the built in lower frontal area of the saddle allows for a better sitting position for our shape and for our sit bone stability, without interfering with other pelvic areas. It gave far fewer problems for more cyclists – and that’s what we all want on the bike. Finally, for now, let’s look at how saddle shape and structure affect the pressure points and those important sit bones and how they are positioned on the saddle.

Pressure distribution

Let’s look at the various saddles on the market, against the SQlab step saddle.

Regular saddle – High pressure in the perineal area and prostate.

Gel saddle – Pressure in the perineal area, increasing with longer riding. Gel moves upwards!

Cut-out saddle – Dangerous pressure peaks in nerves and vessels -good values in blood flow tests.

Step saddle – Pressure distribution according to medical criteria and saddle with a stepped structure, designed to fit more naturally and to give stability to the sit bones and to reduce contact areas elsewhere in the pelvic regions. High scores in blood circulation tests

Hopefully, you now understand why we’ve gone into so much detail about saddle shape, width, fitting and structure. That seemingly simple accessory to the bike is more important than you thought, and it’s important that you get it right. Getting properly fitted for a saddle can form part of an overall bike fit, or you can utilise the SQ Lab home measuring kit – available from their website.

In the next blog, I’ll be writing about prostate saddles and the new SQlab ‘Active Saddle Technology’, which enables a physiologically correct co-movement of the pelvis and thus prevents discomfort in the lower back. For now, though, off you go and get yourself measured for a more comfortable and healthier cycling future.

Road Step Saddle

Gravel Step Saddle

MTB Step Saddle

The next blog talks about the SQlab active saddle technology and saddles to help with prostate problems. Clink the link HERE to read it.

For more information about the SQlab step saddle concept:

Visit the SQlab website

Read Our Blogs

Pirelli P Zero Race Road Cycling Tyres 2026

Pedalnorth Website — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 17:13:59 +0000

Pirelli P Zero Road Tyres — Real-World Riding Impressions

Pirelli has re-established itself as a serious contender in performance cycling tyres. With the P Zero range, they’ve combined their motorsport expertise with modern road-riding demands. I’ve spent time on both the P Zero Race in 28 mm (with tubes) and 30 mm (tubeless), as well as the P Zero Race 4S in 28 mm. Each tyre has its own personality — one built purely for speed, the other for year-round versatility. Riding regularly in Catalunya and Barcelona, I was keen to see how each performed on the tight and twisting roads – climbing and descending. Tubeless is always interesting, out and about too; as I need to know that the tyre is secure for me in all situations. I don’t want to be changing tubes on the road – who does!

P Zero Race — Speed and Precision

30 mm Tubeless

Mounted tubeless on a wide carbon wheelset, the P Zero Race 30 mm transformed the ride. The comfort was immediate — the tyre floated smoothly over broken tarmac and rough rural lanes. Running them at around 65–70 psi gave that perfect blend of suppleness and responsiveness.

The road feel was exceptional: every pedal stroke felt direct, and the tyre carried momentum beautifully. In dry conditions, cornering grip was confident and predictable, even when pushing through fast bends. On light damp roads, the grip stayed reassuring, though clearly tuned for fair weather performance.

Over several long rides, I appreciated how quiet and stable the tyre felt. It encouraged lower pressures and a more relaxed, controlled handling style — fast but composed.

28 mm With Tubes

Switching to the P Zero Race 28 mm with standard tubes gave the bike a more traditional road-race feel. The narrower profile made handling slightly sharper and acceleration more immediate. However, comfort naturally took a small step down compared to the 30 mm tubeless setup.

The 28s felt fast and lively, with great cornering feedback. Over rougher patches, I missed the plushness of the wider tubeless version, but for smooth roads and spirited rides, the 28 mm setup felt superb.

Durability and Puncture Resistance

Across plenty of miles on mixed road surfaces, the P Zero Race impressed me with its resilience. The tread held up well, and I experienced no punctures. Small cosmetic cuts appeared after extended use, but nothing concerning. It’s a tyre that feels refined and robust for something so performance-focused.

The P Zero Race in 30 mm tubeless form delivers one of the most comfortable and composed high-performance rides I’ve had. It’s a tyre for riders who value speed but want real-world comfort and confidence. The 28 mm tube version retains that sharp racing feel and remains a great choice for traditional setups or tighter frame clearances.

P Zero Race 4S — Year-Round Confidence

28 mm With Tubes

I fitted the P Zero Race 4S 28 mm on my Time bike for cooler months and less-than-perfect roads. Straight away, the difference in feel — slightly firmer and more grounded than the Race, but with a reassuring grip that builds trust in wet or cold conditions.

On damp tarmac, the tyres felt composed and sure-footed. Cornering confidence was excellent, even when the road surface was unpredictable or covered in fine debris. The slightly thicker tread and different compound offered a more stable sensation, especially under braking or descending on wet roads.

Durability

After plenty of rides through rain, grit, and occasional poor surfaces, the 4S has proven impressively durable. No punctures, minimal wear, and a consistent feel throughout. It’s a tyre I can trust when conditions are far from ideal.

Verdict

The P Zero Race 4S 28 mm is a true all-rounder. It balances performance with protection and stability, making it perfect for training or long rides in unpredictable weather. It’s the tyre I reach for when conditions call for reliability as much as speed.

Tubeless vs Tubes

Setup Ride Feel Key Benefit Ideal Use

Tubeless (30 mm) Smooth, quiet, and grippy Comfort, fewer punctures, lower pressures Endurance and fast all-day rides.

Tube (28 mm) Firmer, sharper handling Simple setup, precise road feel Racing, fair-weather rides, older rims.

Final Thoughts

Pirelli’s P Zero line strikes a fine balance between racing performance and everyday practicality. The P Zero Race 30 mm tubeless is a standout for comfort and pure speed — a tyre that makes every mile feel faster and smoother. Meanwhile, the P Zero Race 4S 28 mm offers reliable grip and durability when the weather turns or the roads get rough.

Confidence & Control from Pirelli

Let’s be clear; Pirelli make great tyres and their position on the world tour signifies this. However, it’s useful to know how their tyres perform for us mortals – you and me. Riding in the twisting hills above Barcelona and elsewhere, confidence and control is critical.

If you chase performance on sunny days, the Race is your tyre. If you want to keep rolling confidently all year, the Pirelli PZero 4S is the one to trust. However, both deliver that distinctive Pirelli blend of control, feel, and refinement — proof that the brand’s road-tyre pedigree now matches its racing heritage.

Read Our Blogs

SQ Lab Cycling – Maximising Performance & Comfort

Pedalnorth Website — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 20:30:11 +0000

Bikefitting

The positive
benefits

SQ Lab Cycling – Maximising Performance & Comfort

Innovation & Excellence in Cycling Science

Words by Robert & Images by Ben Thorpe

None of us are the same – literally none of us. If 2 twins ate the same things, walked in exactly the same footsteps, and grew in the same way, their foot pressure measurements would vary, due to how they actually walked. And yet, we all seem quite happy to walk into a bike shop and take a new bike straight of the stand, accepting that the contact points – the handlebars, the saddle and the cranks are all perfect for us. They’re not, and in truth they very rarely are; which is why the majority of cyclists are riding in discomfort or not able to perform to their maximum.

Visiting Euro Bike this July was enlightening for me, seeing SQ Lab taking centre stage, with their appliance of science, in helping cyclists to find their own perfect fit on the bike. I’ve worked closely with Hutch, from Lake Cycling Shoes for over two years now, and he’s educated me on cyclist’s feet. He’s also pointed out the benefits of a detailed and accurate bike fitting, and I’m sold on it. These were also points that already interested me, and I’ve frequently advised cycling friends that the pain between their shoulders may be down to handlebar width; or that the wrist pain may be a result of incorrect handlebar shape and positioning of the levers.

SQ Lab – Science Quantified for Cyclists

Talking with Nina from the SQ Lab team, we spent a long time being shown through their software and how it analyses the smallest details right across the cyclist’s body. From their normal stance, how they sit, to the width of their hands and how they place them onto handlebars, SQ Lab are interested in every aspect in their quest to deliver the optimal ride for every cyclist.

Their saddles are probably the most scientifically designed in the industry and forgo any unnecessary elements in structure or design. They function purely how you need them to, becoming a part of you and maximising your ride position based on how your body is actually shaped and the correct measurements of your sit bones, including the pressure that they put down being accurately mapped. All of this in turn, informs the bike fitting expert how your feet operate on the pedals and allows them to correctly analyse and adjust this further element. The body is a complex structure that works in unison, and SQ Lab showed the visitors at Euro Bike, the importance of understanding the relationships at each and every point of contact, and how our skeletal structure and individual biometrics operate with the bike.

Are you sitting comfortably

SQ Lab take detailed saddle measurements using width of the sit bones, ensuring that you are properly supported. Failing to have the correct saddle width can lead to numerous problems elsewhere, as well as pain when riding. SQ Lab provide all saddle models in 4 different widths, ensuring that, whatever your own measurements, you’ll be sitting comfortably all ride long. Their ‘step saddle’ concept also creates relief for cyclists in the important and sensitive seat areas of the body for both sexes.

Strong foundations for the perfect ride

Their scientific and quantified processes take extensive measurements of your feet too, looking at base joint positions so that they can accurately assess the correct cleat placement for every rider. Along with other measurements and analysis, they’ll also recommend cranks and crank lengths. In terms of your hands and bike grips and gloves, SQ Lab take detailed measurements here too, and mark out the correct fitting for handlebars, grips and gloves, even providing cycle gloves in various width fittings –something that no other brand matches. Their ergo bars are designed to match how you use your hands and how they grip onto handlebars, optimising comfort and performance.

When looking at the feet and legs, it’s not simply the arch and sole that gets analysed; SQ Lab also measure and analyse your leg structure and natural stance. It’s critical to know whether you have a perfectly straight leg stance, a slight bow at the knee, or knock knees. All of this affects how your pedal action operates. They’ll bring all of this information together and create the perfect cycling shoe insoles for you; ensuring that your comfort and performance is maximised at this critical and hard-working contact point.

Quality counts – because only the best will do

Once SQ Lab have examined you in nearly as much detail as a gloved physician – but not quite – they’ll show you the right products from their industry-leading products of saddles, handlebars, stems, insoles, pedals and lots more, including their range of high-performance, high-quality cycle clothing. Only then can you ride away in comfort, safe in the knowledge that you’ve finally found the perfect fit for your own cycling needs.

It’s too easy to simply walk into a bike shop, or to look online and to purchase what seems like a great offer. Too frequently though, a large percentage of cyclists are riding incorrectly fitting bikes, with issues that are adverse to their fitness, maybe even their health, and most certainly affecting their cycling enjoyment. The contact bikes of the bike are individual to each of us, and we need to take due regard to ensuring that they’re correct for our own biometrics and physiology. SQ Lab are focused on doing this for us, and they’ve developed a quite remarkable system for doing so. Plain and simply, they measure every aspect of you and how you use the bike. Even the cycling kit that the brand produce is kept to necessary designs, with the right amount of compression in the right areas, and the right fabrics in the right place.

In short, SQ Lab typify German excellence in science and technology at its very best, and they’re a brand that all serious cyclists ought to look at when choosing a bike, or upgrading – or simply to ensure that you’re maximising comfort and performance.

Attending shows such as Euro Bike can be daunting, tiring and taxing, as we wander seamlessly between the multitude of stands. However, SQ Labs provided not only a bright, open, well-laid out and professionally looking place to rest a while. They also provided us with new insights and knowledge regarding the contact point comfort science within cycling. Over the next few months, we’ll be speaking in more detail to Nina and the team at their base in Bavaria and seeing how Ben and Nadezhda can benefit fit from the unique SQ Lab appliance of cycling science.

In the interim, why not take a look at the SQ Lab website yourself and find your nearest SQ Lab partner. Isn’t it time that you treated yourself to the perfect ride – with German engineering excellence, in the application of cycling science.

Visit SQ Lab

The Appliance of Cycling Science

Pirelli Scorpion XC RC Mountain Bike Tyre

Pedalnorth Website — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 20:59:07 +0000

Pirelli Scorpion XC RC mtb Tyre 2.2

Mountain bikes have become too comfortable and too safe. To a large extent, the clever people who design these awesome pieces of engineered excellence have taken away a large proportion of that element of “whoa” and “whey hey”, and “how the hell did I stay saddle up there!” Yes, all of the frame technology and superb dampening, the scientifically worked out geometry and the super light wheels and grippy tyres have made the importance of line choice a lost art. Thinking this needed some adjustment, we decided to put a set of latest Pirelli race ready Scorpion tyres on our test bikes this year. Not only did we choose their super fast and flighty, Scorpion XC RC, but we then went for the 2.2 widths – just to add a bit more spice. True to form, the Orbea Oiz XC bike that we ran these tyres on, became an unleashed trail beast that required careful handling, and took us back to those halcyon days where flat pedals on a hard tail taught you the necessary skills of controlling the rear triangle through the pedals.

Release the Hounds

Most modern full suspension trail bikes will be kitted out with 2.4 or 2.6 tyres. Add to this that they’re also heavy on the tread pattern, then you can see why they’re usually super secure. However, by adding the Pirelli Scorpion XC RCs to the bikes here in the Dales and Moors of Yorkshire, we lightened the bike and added a drop or two of white lightening to the fun meter.

Now, when you’re running tubeless or any other tyre, how many of you peeps out there, check the tyre pressure based on ride conditions? Very few of you, I imagine. When you ride in the changeable conditions of the northern National Parks, it becomes routine to check this, as it can make a huge difference. Running these tyres on the hard packed trails, where the tight single track required quick reactions, the tyres ate into the ground and spat it out with venom, allowing us to race along at a rapid rate. Yes, there was an air of “whoa” every now and then, but that’s racing – and, it is after all an adventure sport. The lightness of this tyre and thinner carcass really does improve rider feel and adds to the fun.

Get a grip please

However, when we went for the soggy ground test, across the higher fells, the shorter tread pattern and the widely spaced and small knobs, whilst maintaining their shape, did very little to get us through the mud soup. Yes, it was quite evident that these are a tyre for hard-packed surfaces, and speedy riding on the edge of your saddle – which I guess is exactly what the tyre is designed for. Even over rocks and roots, the tyre compound and tread maintained its shape and grip and allowed me to ride confidently, with just that edge of excitement added. And so, if this is your style of riding, even in winter, then it’s the perfect addition to your own bike. However, it’s a tyre that doesn’t like the gloop – and in truth, neither do I.

Remember, this is a tyre made for the worlds top XC riders, and designed with their input. The Scorpion XC RC is designed for the racer who seeks the best performance in all racing conditions while pushing beyond their limits – even me, despite my age!

The Scorpion XC RC tread pattern has been designed together with XCO World Cup athletes: giving a low profile, those necessary thick central knobs that offer minimal rolling resistance, while higher lateral knobs allow fast cornering control – and yes, I found this time after time on the hard packed and rocky trails. It’s definitely a tread design with no compromises, which is what mountain biking is all about. If you’d like to ride a Mustang instead of a Donkey, then get the Pirelli Scorpion XC RC fitted and enjoy the ride. Better still, make it a Mustang with some serious issues, and fit the 2.2 – you won’t regret it!

Pirelli PZero Race 4S All Weather Tyre for cycling

Pedalnorth Website — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 18:45:21 +0000

Pirelli PZero 4S Race

The All-Weather Expert

Whatever the weather – feel the grip

Once in a while you test a tyre that seems to have it all. I’m quite fussy with my road tyres too, as I live and ride in the Yorkshire Dales, where the gravel edged roads are tight and twisty and take no prisoners. I want to feel safe, and it’s not always possible when you’re testing tyres. However, these new Pirelli all-weather tyres in the 26mm width are the cycle tyre equivalent of having Belgium Chocolate Cake from Jervaulx Abbey – they’re simply irresistible. So much so, that they’ve stayed on my bike longer than is necessary, and become my ‘go-to’ tyre for autumn and winter.

If you make one decision this autumn – get yourself along to the local bike shop and put these superb pieces of Italian rubber technology on your own bike. Time to find out why they’re so damn good…

The appliance of science

Everyone knows that there’s so much more than rubber goes into making a great bicycle tyre. Thankfully, Pirelli have used their seemingly endless store of experience and knowledge in designing this rain defying tyre. I used the 26″ version, as to be honest, I don’t think that you need more, and less just doesn’t give you the same level of control. Even with the all-weather tread pattern, this tubeless ready tyre does its funky stuff and rolls at a decent speed, meaning that you’re not only safe on those tricky wet descents, but you’re reasonably fast too.

Getting to grips with the road

There’s a particular couple of hills that I use on my test route in the Dales, and it has 2 very narrow single track road descents on tight and twisty tarmac, sprayed with loose gravel and a very tight line available for safety. And yet, these 26 mm tyres have given me the confidence to fire up the Quattro and descend at speed and in reasonable comfort, with my safety down only to my own lack of skills.

The tyre picks up from the previous PZero Velo and is a further evolution of this best-selling all-season tyre. The new Smart EVO Compound from Pirelli enhances grip and performance on wet and cold tarmac, while the new TechBELT construction continues to provide the excellent handling and racing feeling that made the P ZERO family famous all over the world. It has a slightly thicker tread, which improves the mileage of the tyre, making it the ideal solution to cycle in every season without giving up on its racing soul. As I say, I’ve been using it for most of this year, and the wear has been excellent, maintaining performance throughout.

Time for tech

I don’t ordinarily add too much technical detail; however, it’s relevant to the fact that Pirelli have spent so much time in developing their tyres. And so, here’s what lies behind the superb grip and rolling that I’ve experienced over this year, and which you’ll benefit from this autumn and winter too.

Pirelli SmartNET

Pirelli SmartNET Silica technology delivers high rolling efficiency, thanks to its natural anisotropic orientation, which reduces heating while increasing elasticity, to help minimise energy dissipation.
Enjoy highly reliable wet grip. The wide surface of the silica rod molecules enhances its natural water affinity, delivering confident handling on wet.
Puncture resistance and extensive mileage. Pirelli’s SmartNET Silica compound features microscopic rod-shaped particles, that are arranged systematically, rather than chaotically, creating a strong, long-lasting tyre.

Spped Core

The highest-performing tubeless-ready road casing in our range, with a unique design that adds an aramid band within the tyre’s rubber layer. This new structure adds strength and support to the tyre casing but retains a supple feel for minimal rolling resistance and maximum grip, compared to a tyre with a full bead-to-bead aramid construction. The tyre also features a 120tpi nylon casing for added puncture protection and maximum security.

SPEEDCORE is a new patent-pending technology
SPEEDCORE is for the exclusive use of the PZERO Race models with tubeless technology
SPEEDCORE is the choice of the World Tour Factory Teams

If you’re looking at a reliable and fast rolling tyre to look after you in the colder and damper weather conditions, then this is definitely the tyre for you. Best of all, it’ll last you a good few miles, meaning that it’s also a cost-effective way of staying safe this winter. It could actually be my own personal favourite tyre.

Pirelli PZero TLR 26

Pedalnorth Website — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 11:44:39 +0000

Pirelli PZero TLR 26

by Robert Thorpe

PIRELLI PZERO RACE TLR 26 TYRE

It’s been cold and damp here in North Yorkshire recently. The leaves are lying on the ground and adding to the autumnal road dangers. Good tyres are critical are this time of the year, as they can compensate just a little for a lack of handling ability, which I’m modest enough to admit to having. Pirelli are a brand that are used to creating tyres for bad weather. Just look at their Formula 1 credentials, or indeed their return to world cycling in recent years. Yes, these Pirelli PZero TLR 26 road tyres are definitely confidence giving and allow me to relax just that little bit more, as I enjoy the colours of autumn in the national park.

I chose a particularly testing ride for my cousin and I last weekend. It traversed the hills on narrow and winding lanes, filled with grit and soil and dirt, and wet from the rain that hadn’t yet dried due to the damp air. Our bikes looked like Cyclo-cross bikes as we climbed and descended back down to the valley. By the time we finished, we looked like a couple of Flanders riders, all splattered with the spoils of our ride. Thankfully though, the tyres had done their job and along the way I achieved a climbing success and a long and drawn out fast section, that swooped and swerved before descending the twisting road into Middleham. Ultimately, this is what we want tyres to achieve for us and these new Pirelli’s had done their job. Time to take a look at the tyre that allows you ride so well in autumn then.

Like the TLR Race in 28mm we tested a few weeks ago, this 26 iteration is likewise designed in accordance with the latest ETRTO standards and the tyre is compatible with hookless rims, as seen on many of the latest road tubeless wheels.

It’s created by Pirelli using their latest SmartEVO rubber compound on these tyres and a new 120 threads per inch (TPI) TechWall+ casing, with a lightweight puncture protection belt sandwiched between the casing and the rubber. It’s a very firm tyre on the wheel, retaining shape when fitted and they’re a very stable tyre in use, with no adverse movement. In terms of comfort in relation to the 28mm, I didn’t really notice that much of a difference. However, it’s certainly a faster and more power efficient tyre on the roads, rewarding yourself efforts on the climbs and the descents. How does it compare to the PZero TLR SR, race ready model; it’s definitely more grippy and gives a whole level of confidence when cornering on the messy country roads.

Road debris and field hedge cuttings have been all over the roads in recent weeks, as the farmers prepare for winter. However, these Pirelli tyres have simply ridden on through the lanes, with the tough casing, puncture protection belt and compound proving their worth. Weight wise, it’s also a reasonable tyre and has an excellent balance between its performance and durability. It’s proved itself to be the ideal general usage tyre for all conditions, with exceptional performance and grip in the wet.

This is the 3rd tyre in the PZero test range for us this autumn, and each one seems to get better, having started with the 28mm TLR. The read pattern is tried and tested and the compound is super sticky, yet rolls surprisingly well when you need it to. I was delighted with the Pirelli TLR SR 26mm Race tyre, especially with it being a tyre for speed. However, this general training tyre is a real road gripping genie, having a well defined tread pattern and being better able to throw the water away from you as it meets the tarmac. In terms of an all round tyre for the average and the experienced road cyclist, what more do you need. Price wise too, it’s within reach of most people and will pay you back in dividends through safety on the roads. Pirelli know their stuff on tyres and the PZero Race TLR in 26mm could easily become a classic.

Tyres Drivetrain and Finishing Kit – pedalnorth

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The perineal area must be relieved.
The sit bones are made for sitting!